How to pronounce birthright
Say it like BURTH-ryte. Birthright has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BURTH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce birthright. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BURTH
- ryte
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Birthright pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BURTHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- ryteGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of birthright
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BURTH-ryte.
What does birthright mean?
- Something a person is entitled to due to the circumstances of their birth, such as an inheritance or citizenship.“Freedom of speech is our birthright.”
Where does birthright come from?
From birth + right. Compare West Frisian berterjocht (“birthright”), Dutch geboorterecht (“birthright”), German Geburtsrecht (“birthright”).
Questions about saying birthright
How do you pronounce birthright?
Say BURTH-ryte. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɝθˌraɪt/. In British English it is /ˈbɜːθraɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in birthright?
Birthright has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BURTH). Broken into parts: BURTH · ryte.
Is birthright pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbɜːθraɪt/ (BURTH-ryte).